Jessica + Aditya
March 12, 2022 / Madison, Wisconsin
Tell us a little more about the two of you!: Adi and I met 4 years ago on the dating app Coffee Meets Bagel. Funnily, I had just moved to the city and he was the first person I met! He was new too and we explored our new city together our first few months of dating. We were pretty serious from the start, I went and visited his parents in India just 6 months in to our relationship. Adi proposed on February 12, 2021 in Chicago. We had just celebrated an early Valentines Day dinner at a restaurant in Chicago and went back to our car to leave. It was then when we discovered our car had been broken into- almost all of our belongings were taken. I of course was shaken, but Adi more so because he had planned to propose in the car! With our plans canceled, we booked a hotel for the night. After insurance calls and a few sad tears, we finally had calmed down enough to rest. It was then when Adi pulled out the ring from his pocket and proposed! Turns out everything else-the certificate of authentication, his love note, and ring packaging had been stolen, but luckily he had the ring in his pocket! The night was certainly one to remember.
What was your vision for your wedding?: My vision for the wedding can be summed up in a few words: intimate, cozy, ethereal, and classic. I wanted everything decor-wise to serve a purpose. I wanted our guests to walk in and immediately feel welcomed and a part of the event. One way we ensured this was having a large "head table" in the center of reception space, with guests tables surrounding us. This helped us feel like we were celebrating with our guests, not on show up front!
I found my vendors based off of instagram and locations. I looked at vendor instagram profiles and see who they tagged in the events they worked. I remember going down a rabbit hole for my place settings-wedding planning is a truly unique time :) Pinterest also helped me narrow down a specific "look" I was going for for each area of planning. What was most important to me was the atmosphere, I really wanted to create that cozy, intimate, relaxed, but fun vibe.
Tell us all about your wedding dress!: The shopping experience was great! I was feeling very overwhelmed because I could not find a dress that really matched what I had in my head. I scoured the inventory prior to my appointment to have at least an idea of what to try on. What is crazy is that my dress was one I almost didn't try on! But when I did, I knew it was the dress for me. It was a sample dress and the last one in the store. It fit like a glove and had everything that I was looking for. Classic shape, simple, but with a stunning back.
You planned and you planned, but how did the day ACTUALLY go?!: The wedding day went fantastic-we did not have a single hiccup! The wedding itself was non traditional, our ceremony only lasted 20 minutes and mainly consisted of our own vows. My most memorable moments were the cocktail hour where we just celebrated and enjoyed with our guests, the speeches, and my second outfit reveal in the bridal lehenga! No one knew that I was going to change into another outfit and so they were all very excited! The whole event went by in such a fun, crazy, amazing blur. I now understand why brides tell you that in the end, it all will work out and will be the best night of your life. I've never felt so loved, supported, and cared for!
What is your best advice for future brides-to-be?: Brides to be- take a deep breath. It is all going to be okay. Please don't be mad at yourself if one minute all you can think about is wedding planning and the next you'll scream and throw something if someone asks you about a wedding detail. It's all normal! Remember that planning is supposed to be fun and once in a lifetime, so when it becomes not fun or too much, take a break. It'll be okay :)
Vendors
Dress: Sophia by Strike Private Collection via Strike Bridal Bar
Cake/Desserts: The Baked Lab
Caterer: Gaylord Catering Service Inc
Alterations: Day in Whyte
Florist: Generations Wedding Flowers and Photography
Seating Chart/Table numbers: Cedar & Spice Design
Wedding Planner: Kelli from Whitetail Events
Photographer: Lisa Young Photography
Venue: The Tinsmith
